STACK August 2016 Issue 142

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visit GAMES FEATURE
66 AUGUST 2016
GAMES
The XBOX Story
Developer: MICROSOFT YEAR: 1998 - CURRENT
A group of four Microsoft DirectX engineers begin working
on a secret console project codenamed DirectX Box. With
the company so entrenched in PC gaming, the maverick
designers have a fight on their hands.
The imminent arrival of the PS2 poses a looming threat
to PC gaming. Microsoft, concerned its development
community will defect, warms to the idea of console
gaming. Not one, but two projects emerge. Bill Gates
green-lights DirectX Box.
On November 15,
2001, Microsoft’s
Xbox is released in
North America. Sales
get off to a flying
start with 550,000
units selling in the
first week. It arrives
in Australia on March
14, 2002.
Xbox LIVE, Microsoft’s innovative online platform,
launches and revolutionises console multiplayer gaming.
Codenamed Xeno, plans for the development of
the Xbox successor are hatched.
Production of Xbox is discontinued. Over a
four-year cycle it sells 24 million units, falling
below Microsoft’s expectations.
With the introduction of Kinect, Microsoft
states that the 360 is halfway through its
lifecycle, but the industry is awash with
rumours of the next console.
Dubbed the ‘Xbox 720’ by media, developers
receive dev kits for Microsoft's next console.
Project
Scorpio
is due to
release
in 2017. Little is
known at this stage
other than it will
be packed with six
teraflops of power
and will feature
‘true’ 4K gaming.
1998
We take a brief look at how an idea from four proactive and insightful Microsoft engineers lit
the fuse on one of the most successful console stories in video game history.
In an unprecedented turnaround, the console is
developed in just two years. A compelling launch
line-up is assembled; it includes new IP, Halo:
Combat Evolved. (Bungie were making games for Mac when
Microsoft bought the studio out – Steve Jobs isn’t impressed.)
At this year’s E3 Microsoft press
conference, the company unveils two
new consoles. The first is an updated
Xbox One known as the ‘S’. It’s 40
with
and
ly,
HDR
le is
th.
1999 - 2001
2002
2005
2003
2010
2012
In the same year on May 12, Microsoft lifts the
cover on the Xbox 360, and seven months later it’s
in stores across the States. Priced at $649, Australia
gets the console in March 2006 – a full year before the PS3
arrives. Despite technical problems (the ‘red ring of death’
claims two STACK 360s), it goes on to boss the seventh
generation of consoles, selling an impressive 80 million units
as of 2013. Production ceases in April 2016.
2005
The Xbox One is officially unveiled in
May, 2013. The console is released in
November 2013 and is priced at $599
in Australia. It sells one million units
in 24 hours.
2017
2016
2013
1999
2001